NORMAL — There was what Waubonsie Valley’s Arianna Garcia thought state would be like.
Then there was what actually happened, according to the sophomore guard.
And do you know what? Perception essentially became reality.
“We thought it was going to be exhilarating,” she said. “We knew there was going to be great competition, but to us, it was just a game. We wanted to come in, play our game and have fun.
“We had some nerves in the beginning, but once we got comfortable, it was like a regular game.”
Except in the one way that it wasn’t. The Warriors lost 69-44 to Nazareth on Friday afternoon in a Class 4A state semifinal at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena, but Garcia enjoyed every moment.
Showing a high-end motor and a willingness to clog up passing lanes, the 5-foot-4 Garcia finished with five rebounds to go along with two points, two steals and an assist for Waubonsie (32-4).
Garcia rarely took a break, with her efforts helping to keep the Warriors within six points late in the third quarter before Nazareth (32-3) pulled away in definitive fashion via a 20-4 burst in the fourth.
“Number one, she’s our most aggressive and best lateral defender,” Waubonsie coach Brett Love said of Garcia. “She can guard 94 feet. She can guard the best player every game.
“She does a lot of great things for us. She never stops.”
Sophomore guard Danyella Mporokoso, a second-team all-state selection, led Waubonsie with 16 points. Army-bound senior forward Hannah Laub added 15, including three 3-pointers.
Nazareth was led in scoring by senior guard Amalia Dray with 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Senior forward Olivia Austin added 16 points, while sophomore guard Stella Sakalas had 15.
The scoring highlight for Garcia came on an inbounds play under the basket. She alertly saw an opening in the lane, caught the ball and converted an uncontested layup to force a 10-10 tie.
“I’ve just been doing that since I was younger,” said Garcia, who played AAU for Pink Elite in Naperville. “I see the gaps so I can find the rebound and the steal.”
What’s more, the multitalented Garcia can toggle back and forth between point guard and shooting guard, something she did with aplomb Friday.
In fact, Love pointed out how he plans to get her more shots next season. Defensively, however, she’s already sound.
“Whether it’s a steal or a rebound, whether it’s a broken play or a 50-50 ball,” Love said, “she’s always working to make something happen.”
Part of Garcia’s development has come courtesy of following Laub and junior forward Lily Newton.
Laub confirmed she has worked hard with Garcia to get her ready for an expanded role next season, along with Mporokoso and freshman guard Maya Pereda, both of whom also start.
“This year has been the most you could get from freshmen and sophomores, just to be on a big stage like this,” Laub said. “They’ve done a good job stepping up and taking that leadership role.
“It never feels like we’re playing with younger kids. It feels like everyone has experience already.”
When it comes to leadership, Garcia has paid close attention to Laub and Newton.
“Hannah and Lily, I’ve known them for a couple of years, so they are the example of leadership,” she said. “They set the tone, how its supposed to be, how we are supposed to act.
“Because next year, we’re going to be the upperclassmen.”
There isn’t going to be much of an offseason for Garcia. Her current club program, Midwest Elite, is already practicing. She has plans to participate Sunday.
She also doesn’t foresee that as being a problem.
“Not really,” she said with a smile. “I’ve been doing that since I was young.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
